SOME Directors Bob Machado and Jack Wilkinson present a $4,000 Grant check to Stockton Unified School District representatives. The Grant will be evenly divided ($1,000) to each of the four Stockton High Schools: Stagg High School, Franklin High School, Edison High School, and Chavez High School, to enable the Music Departments to purchase much needed supplies.

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This year, there will be two great Drum & Bugle Corps shows in Sacramento … the Moonlight Classic, sponsored by the Sponsors of Musical Enrichment, and the Capital Classic, sponsored by the Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps.

For the first time, you will be able to purchase tickets for either show, or BOTH shows as a package and save $$$! There will be a Reserved/VIP Bundle, which will include Reserved tickets for the Moonlight Classic AND VIP tickets for the Capital Classic, or a General Admission Bundle, which will include General Admission tickets for both shows.

STOCKTON, CA – May 29, 2013 – Today, S.O.M.E. Board Member Jeff DeMello was interviewed by Comcast’s Steve Swatt. Jeff gave an overview of the mission of S.O.M.E., along with advertising the upcoming Moonlight Classic Drum & Bugle Corps show, to be held at 6pm on June 23rd at the beautiful Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State University.

STOCKTON, CA – April 11, 2013 – In keeping with it’s mission of supporting local music organizations and the performing arts, the Sponsors of Musical Enrichment has selected Stockton based Sunflower Presents to receive a $500 Grant to support their programs.

Sunflower Presents is a California, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which provides live entertainment to the confined and disabled, helps them re-establish contacts with the outside community and nurtures their individual worth. Founded by Marian Jacobs and Marilyn Robertson in 1977, Sunflower Presents continues the founders tradition of bringing the arts to those less fortunate in San Joaquin County. For more information, see sunflowerpresents.org

The Sponsors of Musical Enrichment is a non-profit California corporation founded in 1978 for the purpose of supporting local music organizations and the performing arts on a continuing basis. 100% of all funds raised by this organization are reinvested in the local community. Since its inception in 1978, S.O.M.E. has granted over $2,500,000 to over one hundred deserving groups and individuals.

ROSEMONT, CA – April 1, 2013 – “This isn’t an ‘April’s Fool’ joke!”, stated Jeff DeMello, as he presented a $500 Grant check to Rosemont High School’s Music Director, Robin Wilmer during a RHS Band rehearsal. “We are happy to support another great performing arts group.”, states Jeff DeMello, CFO of S.O.M.E. Among the cheers of the RHS Band, Ms. Wilmer gladly accepted the grant check on behalf of the Rosemont High School Band Boosters.

The Rosemont High School Instrumental Music Program is composed of dedicated, enthusiastic, respectful musicians striving for the highest standards of musical excellence. Every effort is made to create a culture where lasting self-esteem is achieved through real accomplishment. Each member performs as part of a unit. The cohesiveness of each ensemble — whether it is the string orchestra, symphonic band, concert band, marching band, color guard, winter guard or winter percussion — serves to define a unique, familial group where bonds of loyalty and caring are commonly expressed through words and actions. Students who participate in more than one ensemble will find their musical acumen matures more quickly, so that is encouraged. Within each ensemble, individuals have the opportunity to generate their own excitement and enthusiasm. They do this while developing talents, skills and character that will contribute to each group’s strengths and capabilities. This in turn dramatically increases a student’s prospects for personal success, both academically and socially, now and in the years ahead.

Rosemont High School also assisted S.O.M.E. in 2012 by providing a housing and rehearsal site for the National Champion Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps, who performed at the 2012 Moonlight Classic, sponsored by S.O.M.E. And, in addition, a number of Rosemont HS Band members “gave back to the community” and donated their free time to assist in running the Moonlight Classic.

“We look forward to continuing our great relationship with the Rosemont High School Band Program”, says Mike Canote, President of S.O.M.E. “as well as other Central Valley music organizations.

The Sponsors of Musical Enrichment is a non-profit California corporation founded in 1978 for the purpose of supporting local music organizations and the performing arts on a continuing basis. 100% of all funds raised by this organization are reinvested in the local community. Since its inception in 1978, S.O.M.E. has granted over $2,500,000 to over one hundred deserving groups and individuals.

“We are happy to support another great San Joaquin Valley performing arts group.”, states Mike Canote, President of SOME. “In the short time that they have been in existence, they have well represented the music of Jim Ott, the City of Stockton, and the Drum Corps activity.”

The Jim Ott Brass Ensemble (JOBE) was started in 2011 by Bonnie Ott Thompson (sister of Jim Ott), Roy Perez, and Bill Collins. They have performed as “gate entertainment” for numerous Oakland Raiders games, as well as performing at many Stockton venues, including the Asparagus Festival, Friday Night in Lincoln Center, Music in the Park, and local parades and drum corps shows. JOBE was formed to honor the memory of Jim Ott, a talented Stockton composer who died in an automobile accident in the early ’80s. Jim’s extensive music library was resurrected by his wife Maggie, who donated all of his hundreds of music charts to Jim’s sister Bonnie, so they could be played once again. “This is a labor of love for us”, said Bonnie Ott Thompson, “and I think Jim would be proud to see his music live on”.

The Sponsors of Musical Enrichment have also been fortunate to have Hal “Pops” Ott, father of Jim Ott, on our Board of Directors since our inception. “The Ott family has been instrumental (pun intended), to the Performing Arts”, states Mr. Canote.

The Sponsors of Musical Enrichment has elected their Board of Directors for 2013.

Returning as President is Mike Canote. The new Vice President is Bob Machado. Jeff DeMello is the newly elected Treasurer, and Rick Caccam returns as Secretary. Directors at large include Hal “Pops” Ott, John Calabrace, and Jack Wilkenson.

The lineup of Drum & Bugle Corps performing at the 34th Moonlight Classic is now available on theMoonlight Classic webpage. The show will be held on June 23rd 2013.

Returning for 2013 are all of the local corps, including the Concord Blue Devils A, B, and C-Corps, the Santa Clara Vanguard, and Vanguard Cadets, Mandarins. Also returning is Pacific Crest, from Diamond Bar, CA. Joining us again will be SoCal Dream, an all-age Drum & Bugle Corps from Huntington Beach, CA.

Touring from Ft. Mill, South Carolina, is the Carolina Crown, and from Denver, CO, the Blue Knights from Denver, CO.

Ticket information will be available in the Moonlight Classic web page.

After the 2012 Moonlight Classic was suspended due to the lights not coming on, the remaining corps were gracious enough to each do a “Parking Lot” performance of their shows, where the fans could not only hear the music, but do so up close and personal … something rarely fans are able to experience.

Below is a letter received by The Blue Devils Percussion Caption Head, Scott Johnson, from a fan who was able to benefit from this experience. We thank the Blue Devils for sharing this email with us:

“Hey Scott-

Just wanted to send you a little note of thanks. Last night was the first drum corps competition I had brought my kids to, having only taken them to family night a couple years ago. After driving and hour and a half to get there, you could imagine how pissed I was about what happened last night. I decided to take my very disappointed and tired kids over to the parking lot in the dark after the show was cancelled. When the drumline started weaving through the crowd, I was soon glad we had made it over there.

Next thing I know, one of your snare drummers turned his sticks over to my 6 year old son, who started flailing away. That tired kid turned around quickly! Soon my son and 9 year old daughter had 2 sets of tenor drums literally at their noses with a snare drummer behind them as the line came together to finish the warm up. It was awesome.

Even though this may be one of those moments that drives my kids to want to become drummers (gasp..) :), I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you do for all of your fans out there. It was a big reminder that the Blue Devils always have been…and always will be the coolest thing about the summer. Thanks to you and the Blue Devils for more than salvaging the night for my 2 kids and I. Hope you have a great tour.
15!”

You may now purchase tickets on-line for the 33rd Annual Moonlight Classic, which will be held on June 24th, 2012 at the beautiful Hornet Stadium on the campus of Sacramento State University.

2012 Moonlight Classic at Hornet Stadium on Sacramento State University Campus

More than ample seating is available in both the VIP Section and the General Admission Bleachers. The VIP Section is higher up on the 50 yard line, and offers full width comfortable plastic seats with a built in cup holder, along with that much appreciated extra leg room.

If you opt for a seat in the VIP Section, you may also, for a mere $10 more, participate in the famous S.O.M.E. Pre-Show Reception, where you can mingle with other VIPs, Judges, Corps Staff, and the odd Drum Corps celebrities that drop in from time to time.THE RECEPTION IS SOLD OUT!

All other seats are standard aluminum bleacher seats, and all seats offer a GREAT view of the newly rebuilt synthetic turf field.

The lineup of Drum & Bugle Corps performing at the 33rd Moonlight Classic is now available on theMoonlight Classic webpage. The show will be held on June 24th 2012.

Returning for 2012 are all of the local corps, including the Concord Blue Devils A, B, and C-Corps, the Santa Clara Vanguard, and Vanguard Cadets, Mandarins, as well as the San Francisco Renegades All-Age Drum & Bugle Corps. Also returning is Pacific Crest, from Diamond Bar, CA.

Touring again from Rockford, IL is the Phantom Regiment, and the Blue Knights from Denver, CO. Joining us for the first time are the Boston Crusaders from Boston, MA.

On one of the most perfect nights for Drum Corps, the Cadets (Allentown, PA) succeeded in winning the 32nd Moonlight Classic, again besting the Blue Devils (Concord, CA) during their nationwide tour.

In one of the most exciting drum corps shows at University of the Pacific’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium, the crowd also showed their appreciation for the World Class drum corps, Phantom Regiment, Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Knights, Mandarins, and Pacific Crest, all of which were VERY entertaining.

Also, in Open Class, the crowed cheered on the undefeated Blue Devils B, along with Vanguard Cadets, Revolution, and the ever popular, Blue Devils C, all performing great shows after the intro show by the San Francisco Renegades.

Stockton – In its long standing support of the Drum & Bugle Corps activity, the Board of Directors of the Sponsors of Musical Enrichment bestow a $2,500 check to Drum Corps International for the 2011 Individual & Ensemble (I&E) Competitions to be held in San Antonio, TX on July 24 in the historic Sunset Station.

The DCI I&E Competition is free to the public. Further information is available on the DCI website.

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